KAPIL TOURS

Classical North India Tour
This is a 11 day North India tour taking in almost all the highlights of Northern India. The trip begins in Delhi, India’s capital, goes on to Varanasi, famous for it’s Hindu temples and the Ganges, then on to Khajuraho, also famous for it’s erotic temples, on to Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal, and then into Rajasthan’s two top most tourist destinations of Jaipur and Udaipur. This North India tour package includes comprehensive sightseeing in each destination, while also giving you some time at leisure, to soak in the sights and sounds of India at your own pace.

Day 01: - Arrive Delhi, India

Arrive at Delhi International Airport.

Delhi - A bustling metropolis and a city of 14 million inhabitants, is also India’s capital. A near perfect blend of the ancient and the modern, Delhi, consisting two parts Old & New Delhi, is a city with something for everyone. From Forts and monuments that are almost 500 years old, to modern shopping malls, nightclubs and golf courses, Delhi truly is India’s crown jewel.

Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our representative who will present you with a welcome pack including all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today, since most of the International flights arrive into India close to midnight only. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 02: In Delhi

This morning you are collected from your hotel for full day tour of Old and New Delhi.

The tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the colorful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit Street”). Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

The tour of New Delhi includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate the unknown soldiers) the President’s House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colourful Hindu temple.

Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Delhi - Varanasi

This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to the Delhi airport in time for your flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi - One of the holiest cities in India, Varanasi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a major tourist attraction. It has been the religious capital of Hinduism since time immemorial. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization for more than 2,000 years. Written records of the Skanda Purana and the Mahabharata mention its existence as long as 3,000 years ago. It is probably the oldest living city in India, and one of the world's most ancient. Varanasi has been a great cultural centre, especially in the fields of music, learning and the craft of silk weaving.

Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in etc. Early afternoon, you are collected from your hotel for a half-day tour of Varanasi. The tour of this ancient city includes The Bharat Mata Temple, which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple, bathing ghats, The Kashivishwanath temple, The Durgakund.

Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Varanasi – Khajuraho

Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges.

Said to be the highlight of any North India tour, the incredible scene you witness at the ghats, where multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. The riverfront, as seen from a boat at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a glimpse of a glittering temple; in the sound of a sacred bell; in the chant of the priests; and in the fragrance of flower oblations.

Return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast, and early afternoon, met by our representative and escorted from your Hotel to the Varanasi airport in time for your flight to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho - Famous for its temples that are India's unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed in the short span of a hundred yeas, from 950-1050 AD, in a truly inspired burst of creativity.

Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in etc. Evening at leisure and overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Khajuraho – Jhansi – Agra

This morning your are collected from your hotel for half-day City tour of Khajuraho visiting eastern & western group of temples.

Afternoon drive from Khajuraho to Jhansi (172kms/3½ hrs.) nearest railway station of Khajuraho, and aboard the Shatabdi Express train to Agra (1750/2000hrs).

Agra - "The city of the Taj", is ofcourse the highlight of any North India tour, it was once the capital of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. The Mughal Emperors endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, Sikandra, Itimad-ud-Daulah and Fatehpur Sikri.

Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Agra

This morning you are collected for half day city tour of Agra visiting The Taj Mahal - a poem, a feeling of love, in white marble, is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Your tour also includes a visit to the Red Sandstone Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years of 1565-1573.

Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Agra – Jaipur

This morning you drive to Jaipur (250 kms/05 hrs.), visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route – often called the ghost city , built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Later continue your drive to the Pink City of Rajasthan - Jaipur

Jaipur - Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance, and song with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. The great warrior/astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation. Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture.

This "Pink City," so called because its buildings are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. The royal family's residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The palaces and forts of yesteryear, once witness to royal processions, now shine amid the splendor of modern monuments, juxtaposition accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of an amazing people.

Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Jaipur

This morning, you are collected from your hotel for a city tour of Jaipur.

Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds,” one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually little more than a façade. The five-story building was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.

The City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and also houses an interesting museum.

Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a warrior.

Your tour also includes a visit to the Amber fort, situated on the outskirts of the city. Here; you are transported back in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the State until 1728 and inside the fort, you visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali.

Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Jaipur - Udaipur

This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to the Jaipur airport in time for your flight to Udaipur.

Udaipur - The enchanting lake city was once the lakeside capital of Mewar. Romantic, wistful, and serene, Udaipur was built around shimmering blue lakes that reflect the green hills of the Aravali Ranges. Maharana Udai Singh founded Udaipur in 1599, and this extraordinarily beautiful city has come to be celebrated for its association with Queen Padmini and Meera Bai, royal princesses who are linked with the fortunes of the Sisodia family. Developed scientifically, the old city was surrounded by fortified bastions with entry through 11 gates. Ruins of the ancient fortifications are still in evidence, and the more recently built palaces can still be visited. Udaipur was also the location where the Hollywood, James Bond blockbuster “Octopussy” was filmed.

Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in etc.

Afternoon, you are collected from your hotel for half-day tour of Udaipur.

The tour includes a visit to the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum. Saheliyon-Ki-Bari or “Garden of the Maids of Honor” is a small ornamental garden with fountains, kiosks, marble elephants, and delightful lotus pools.

Jagdish Temple is an Indo-Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe.

The day ends with a sunset boat ride on the shimmering waters of the Lake Pichola ,within which seemingly floats The Lake Palace hotel considered one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters of the Lake Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white marble. This is another thing that you will surely remember as one of the highlights of your North India tour.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Udaipur – Delhi

Morning at leisure in Udaipur, after which you will be met by our representative and escorted from your Hotel to the Udaipur airport in time for your flight to Delhi.

Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in etc. The evening is at leisure to either relax, or explore the city on your own, or perhaps indulge in some last minute shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Depart Delhi

Met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to the Delhi airport in time for your flight home.

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